Cycling a large tank?

[MikeP]

Originally Posted by Beverly

Cure your new LR in a separate container, not in your new tank. Once it's cured, put the LR in the new tank. That way, all the crud and nutrients stay in the curing container and you won't have to do any large water changes to bring down nitrate and phosphate.

Does all LR need to be cured? I thought most of the stuff at the LFS was cured already. I could put it in a large rubbermaid, would it need to be heated? How long does it take to cure? I plan to use some base rock too, is there anything that needs to be done with it before it goes in the tank?

Thanks